Early Wave of ECU Baseball Portal Departures Begins After Season Ends
Photo from (ECU Baseball)
As East Carolina’s 2025 baseball season officially comes to a close following a strong postseason push, the Pirates are starting to see the first wave of transfer portal departures.
Several players have already entered the portal, with roles ranging from rotation arms to developing position players. While the door remains open for more moves before the July 1 deadline, here’s a breakdown of who is currently on the way out:
RHP Lance Williams
Williams made 25 appearances with eight starts as a freshman, posting a 5.31 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP across 40.2 innings. He recorded 47 strikeouts, walked 29, and hit 13 batters. Williams saved his best for last, delivering a strong performance in the Conway Regional against Florida, going five-plus innings with five strikeouts and earning the win his longest outing of the season.
RHP Tyler Brashear
A freshman arm from Pennsylvania, Brashear made three appearances this season, allowing five earned runs in 1.2 innings. He enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining.
2B Roger Vergara
Vergara served as a role player off the bench, appearing in 24 games and starting eight. He hit .188 in limited action for the Pirates. Prior to ECU, he batted .356 at St. John’s River State College with 10 doubles and five home runs. He has one year of eligibility left.
OF Kenan Bowman
Bowman played in 41 games and started 14, hitting .277 with five doubles and four RBIs. He was a versatile outfield option and saw regular time as a pinch hitter or defensive sub.
RHP Jaden Winter
Winter was in his fourth season with ECU and made five appearances (three starts) in 2025, posting a 7.27 ERA in 8.2 innings. While his stuff showed flashes, consistency remained a challenge. His final outing came on April 19 versus UAB.
OF Drew Downs
Downs saw time in 32 games, hitting .175 in 40 at-bats. Once a Vanderbilt commit, the sophomore enters the portal looking for a fresh start after struggling to find a consistent role.
RHP Michael Irby
The older brother of standout first baseman Austin Irby, Michael dealt with injuries during his time at ECU. He made just one appearance this season, allowing two earned runs in one-third of an inning.
RHP Trevor Jackson
A junior college transfer from John A. Logan, Jackson had solid numbers prior to his arrival at ECU. However, he did not pitch in 2025 due to injury. He’s back in the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
RHP Dawson Kehr
Kehr is another right-hander who didn’t see the field this past season due to injury. He enters the portal as a medical redshirt with multiple years remaining.
UTIL/C Jason Janesko
The former IMG Academy product did not appear in any games for ECU in 2025. He offers versatility behind the plate and in the infield and enters the portal seeking more opportunity.
RHP Ian White
White made 16 appearances out of the bullpen, finishing with a 3.60 ERA in 10.0 innings. He last pitched on April 19 and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
INF Neil Griffin
Griffin was a promising freshman infielder who joined the team last summer but did not appear in any games. He left the team at the end of the semester and has entered the transfer portal.
What’s Next
The list of departures may continue to grow with several weeks remaining before the NCAA portal window closes. ECU is expected to remain active in both managing its roster and pursuing impact talent to reload for 2026.